Moselsteig side trail Kluckertspfad

At the edge of the vineyards, above the Kinheim district of Kindel, lies the barbecue hut "Am Römerhang", which is the starting point for the Kluckertspfad side trail. As a forest path, it goes steeply uphill right from the start. Where the path turns into the valley cut of the Kuckerter Bach, you reach a viewpoint. The view can sweep across the Moselle valley. The wine village of Kröv lies on the other side of the Moselle amidst the vineyards.

Past the small shelter on the rock ridge, the path leads roughly level into the side valley of the Kluckerter Bach. The valley ends at a rock step, over which, depending on the season and water level, a small waterfall flows. The side trail crosses the valley side via a wooden bridge. Here the path winds further along the slope. Only after a somewhat wider path is reached does it go downhill through the forest. At the lowest point, a path joins in. The next section is again a path and leads uphill to the ridge between the Moselle valley and the valley of the Mühlenbach, which the side trail will follow for quite a distance later.

After a short piece on the path, which is bounded on the right side by steep vineyards and on the left side by forest, you reach the edge of the "Kröver rockslide." In 1992, a part of the mountainside was deliberately blasted to collapse here because the entire slope threatened to collapse into the Moselle. The scar on the mountainside is still clearly visible today. Side trail hikers benefit from this dramatic event. The fenced-off slope edge offers a beautiful view of the Moselle valley.

The further path leads slightly downhill first between forest and vineyards, later surrounded by forest on both sides, to a sheltered rest area in a hollow. Here you can take a short break before the ascent to the ruins of the Wolfer monastery begins. The side trail here leads over a rocky ridge, directly to the remains of the former monastery. Many houses in the surrounding villages are built with stones from the monastery complex. Unfortunately the tower can no longer be climbed today and the barriers should definitely be observed due to the danger of falling stones. The viewpoint on the slope edge and the panorama of Kröv that can be experienced there more than make up for this.

From the plateau where the monastery or its remains, now visible as a landmark, lie, the side trail leads steeply downhill. The path changes direction and leads through meadows and pastures with fruit trees to the Kleinforst rest area. From here it is possible to enter the side trail from Wolf. The diverse Wolf gastronomy and the typical Moselle half-timbered village are easily accessible via the approximately 1 km long access path.

The loop of the Kluckertspfad continues with a section through the vineyards. A vineyard path leads into the valley of the Mühlenbach. The side trail follows the valley floor for about 2 km. You pass several fish ponds before the path dives into the deciduous forest.

The trail markers lead you out of the Mühlenbach valley. You now orient yourself along the course of a side valley. Here the path leads steeply uphill. A larger forestry road is crossed without changing direction. At a sharp angle, you reach a forest path. The side trail has reached the high plateau, where you can initially continue walking in the forest without major elevation changes.

The side trail leaves the forest, which offers views over the Moselle valley to the Kinheim vineyards. Initially gently descending, later more steeply downhill, it goes back into the forest. The descent to the forest edge finally takes place through a kind of hollow way.

On the last path section back to the barbecue hut, the side trail leads through meadows, pastures, and vineyards. Here is also a small excavation site with traces from the time when Celts and Romans inhabited the Moselle region.

The side trail should only be walked with suitable hiking shoes. Slightly higher hiking boots are best suited, as some sections run over rocky and uneven ground.

The entry to the side trail is possible from two starting points. Besides the entry point at the barbecue hut "Am Römerhang" in the district of Kindel, you can also hike the loop from Wolf. Regardless of which starting point is chosen, the more attractive walking direction is clockwise. Since there are no dining options directly on the loop, you should equip yourself beforehand for a picnic (e.g., at a winemaker of the surrounding wine villages) or take advantage of the gastronomy offerings in Kinheim or Wolf, which are accessible via short access paths. The most beautiful rest areas are near the ruins of the Wolfer monastery. After two-thirds of the hike, you can rest here if you started from Wolf.

Starting point barbecue hut "Am Römerhang"

Via the B 53 you reach Kinheim, which is located between Bernkastel-Kues and Traben-Trarbach. Here you change the Moselle side into the district of Kindel. The asphalt path continuing straight from the bridge leads you directly to the starting point at the barbecue hut "Am Römerhang".

Starting point Kleinforst rest area

In the Traben-Trarbach district Wolf (accessible via B 53) you follow Klosterbergstraße uphill through the vineyards to the small parking lot at the Kleinforst rest area, which you reach after about 1 km from Wolf.

Parking available at the Kinheim barbecue hut "Am Römerhang". There is also an information board about the side trail here.

For the 2nd entry point in the Wolf area, there are parking facilities at the Kleinforst rest area, which is only a few meters from the loop trail. An information board about the side trail is also present here.

The village of Wolf offers many parking options. From here, the marked, approx. 1 km long side trail access path leads directly to the entry point below the Kleinforst rest area.

Bus line 360 runs mostly hourly between Bernkastel-Kues and Traben-Trarbach. From the Kinheim, Ort stop, it is about 1.2 km via the marked side trail access path to the starting point at the barbecue hut "Am Römerhang".

The alternative starting point "Kleinforst rest area" is accessible from the Wolf, Jugendhof stop via a approx. 1.5 km long footpath (not continuously marked).

"Side Trails Volume 2" - 17 premium circular hikes from Bernkastel-Kues to Koblenz by ideemedia

Authors: Ulrike Poller, Wolfgang Todt, Publisher: ideemedia, 160 pages, Format: 11.0 x 16.4 cm, ISBN: 978-3-942779-60-9, 12.95 €

Hiking map Moselle - Moselle region Traben-Trarbach-Kröv, 1:25,000, ISBN 978-3-944620-24-4

Mosellandtouristik GmbH

Kordelweg 1, 54470 Bernkastel-Kues; Telephone: 06531/97330

www.moselsteig.de

Moselle region Traben-Trarbach-Kröv

Bahnstraße 22, 56841 Traben-Trarbach, Telephone: 06541/8184572

www.moselregion.com